Donald O'Neal Tickle

Donald O’Neal Tickle, 88, passed away at Penick Village on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with his loving wife, son, and daughter by his side.

Don was born on May 9, 1937, to the late Porter and Nannie Covington Tickle. 

After graduating from Hoke County High School, Don went on to attend Wofford College in Spartanburg and obtained his Bachelor’s in Business. After College, he had two beautiful children. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Joyce Brown Tickle. He was a pioneer in the world of Import Brokering. 

Don began his career with the FDIC. After a few years in the banking industry, he entered into the real estate development business, working for Southeastern Associates, Inc. He followed by becoming Director of Corporate Development with Dibrell Brothers, Inc. He was named CEO and President of one of their manufacturing companies, Dunning Industries. After leaving there, he realized he was more suited to work for himself. His background in banking, real estate, and furniture manufacturing led him to upstart Windwood, Inc., a rattan furniture business located in High Point, NC.  And that’s when his travels to Asia and the Pacific Rim accelerated, and his career as an importer/ exporter began. Don enjoyed international travel, but there were also occasions where traveling was perilous. Nevertheless, he was blessed to continue traveling well into his 70s. To no surprise, many of his business associates in Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and here became lifelong friends. He particularly cherished the trips where his wife, son, and daughter accompanied him individually over the years. 

Don is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Maxine Rich, his brother, Bob Tickle, and his brother-in-law, Howard Wilson. 

He is survived by his wife Lillian Joyce Tickle, his son, O’Neal (Lenora) Tickle of Cary; daughter, Rita (Jim) Hodges of Charlotte; brother, Richard (Bain) Tickle of Blowing Rock; sister Clesta Tickle of Jacksonville, FL; niece, Sue (Dave) Swick of Jackson Springs; five grandchildren: Broc Tickle of Carlsbad, CA, Colton Tickle (Morgan) of Raleigh, Carson Tickle of Wilmington, Reece Hodges and Will Hodges of Charlotte; and one great-granddaughter, Mila Tickle of Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory can be made to the Ashley Heights Baptist Church Cemetery maintenance fund. Donations can be mailed to 10351 Aberdeen Rd., Aberdeen, NC 28315. 

A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ashley Heights Cemetery with Reverend Sarah Smith-Pitts officiating. A catered memorial reception will be held following the service at 4:00  p.m. at the Penick Village in Hutchinson Hall for family and friends. 

Online condolences can be made at: PinesFunerals.com.

Powell Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Tickle family.